Have you heard how smart and friendly rats can be as pets and thinking of getting your own? Here are some things to consider before making your decision- and how to prepare for bringing them home!
A pet rat?? Is that a thing?
Contrary to popular perception, rats can be great pets. They are much smarter than other rodents and can be taught several types of tricks (including being litter trained!). It has been shown that rats can recognize human faces and voices. Rats can be just as affectionate with their owners as dogs or cats. They are also surprisingly hygienic and bathe themselves several times a day. As good of pets rats are however, there’s a lot you need to know before owning any.
To start…adopt from a breeder, not a pet store
Like most pets kept in a store, they are often bred in unhealthy conditions and not bred intently for a nice temperament. Plus, being kept in a case without any direct interaction prevents them from being socialized and used to humans.
A better option would be to find rats for adoption from local breeders. You can look on Facebook or other social media websites to find what’s nearby.
This website in particular has a long list of many breeders in each state: https://iowalittlepawsrattery.weebly.com/breeder-directory.html
To keep your pet rat happy, they need at least one other rat to live with
Rats are very social creatures and thrive when living in the group. By adopting just one rat, you are stripping them of an important part of their life. A lonely rat will be a lot less happy and most likely have a shorter life. Multiple rats will be able to comfort each other and keep each other entertained when their owner isn’t around. Always be sure to get at least two. Luckily, the workload of another rat or two isn’t much bigger.
Make sure they have a proper living space
The bare minimum size cage you would need for two rats is 24“ x 24“ x 24“, however bigger is always better. A possible option is to even find cages meant for birds or ferrets, as long as the bars aren’t too wide for them to fit through.
You may find that quite a few cages come with different levels on the inside. Surprisingly, it’s best to just take these out. Rats enjoy an environment that resembles more of a jungle gym than a house with separate floors.
The best kind of bedding…
..for your rat cage is aspen, as it is economical and absorbent. There are other types of wood bedding, however most types of wood (such as pine or cedar) are more harmful to rats. Other beddings are types of soft paper or cotton bedding, but they must be dust free.
Rats are particularly prone to respiratory illnesses. Paper pellets can be good bedding, but it’s best when simply put in their litter box. Two different types of bedding for their litter and regular bedding help them differentiate between the two.
If you are looking through different examples of rat cages, you may find many cages where the floors are lined with fleece. As pretty as this
looks, rats need bedding that they can dig through. Plus, fabric will absorb smells easier, leading to the cage being very stinky.
Things to fill the cage with include: wooden chew toys, ropes, ladders, beds, hammocks, water, a corner litter box, and foraging toys. Foraging toys are interactive puzzles to hide food in. These are important since rats naturally enjoy searching for food instead of eating out of the same bowl. Most toys and climbing materials can be typical household items or toys made for other pets. The Ikea scarf holder is commonly used as a large ladder or bridge, and rope dog toys are great for climbing and chewing as well.
Research the right food
There are various types of rat food. For new rat owners, a good option is Oxbow rat essentials. This can be fed along with vegetables, nuts, noodles, and occasional fruits. More experienced rat owners tend to make their own rat food made from bird seed, dog kibble, egg noodles, dried herb mixes, and lentils. If you plan to make your own rat food, it’s best to follow the Shunamite diet which recommends 50-60% base mix, 20-25% processed grains, 5-10% protein, 5-10% herbs and vegetables, and 5% seeds. Always be sure to research the individual foods you feed your rat to make sure it is safe.
Did you know they need at least an hour or two of free roam daily?
After a while, rats will likely get pretty bored living only in their cage. You’ll probably notice how often they’d want to escape, as they are naturally curious creatures. It is recommended to give rats at least 1 to 2 hours of free roam time outside of the cage daily. Of course, letting them free in your living space may not seem feasible, so you could bring them to another room that is smaller and more suited for them to explore, or at least set up a sort of playpen full of things for them to roam in.
Some enrichment examples are: a box full of little puff balls, various cardboard tubes, or a bowl of water with some vegetables in it for them to go fishing.
Remember: Keep them away from other pets in the house!
As cute as it may seem to try to train your rat to cuddle up with both your cat and dog, it just isn’t feasible. Rats are still prey animals, and will most likely be very scared around other pets in the house. Even if it seems like they might get along, it’s best not to risk it.
Pet Rats will forge bonds with you just as more common pets like dogs and cats
You will be surprised with how attached to you your pet rats can get. They will clamor up to the front of the cage when you come home, excited to see you. They can be taught to respond to their names. If you gain their trust, you will be their favorite person.
Rats may only live about 2-3 years, which may not seem like a long time. However, to them you are their whole life. Each rat has their own personality and getting to know them is such a fun experience. Rats are a great pocket pet to have.